8 Amazing Essential Oils for Diabetes Treatment

Do you wish there was a way to make your struggle with diabetes a little easier?

Diabetes is one of the most widespread chronic illnesses in the United States. About 10 percent of the population is diagnosed with diabetes, and it is estimated that another 8 million people have it but are left undiagnosed.

And although there isn’t a cure for diabetes, there are ways you can manage it. Diet, lifestyle choices, and medication all make it possible for you to live a normal, healthy life with diabetes.

However, there’s another way to boost your diabetes management that many people don’t know about. Essential oils can actually be used to help treat symptoms of diabetes.

Many of the compounds contained in essential oils can be readily used by the body. In fact, some compounds isolated from essential oils have actually been used in making some western medicines.

But what essential oils should I be using for diabetes?

There are hundreds of essential oils out there. Certainly, some will be more effective than others in alleviating symptoms of diabetes.

Keep reading to learn about the top 8 essential oils for diabetes treatment.

What is an Essential Oil?

Before we dive into each essential oil, it’s important to first understand what exactly an essential oil is.

This isn’t your average bottle of olive oil you pick up from the grocery store. Essential oils are so much more than that!

Essential oils are natural oils that derive from plants in a highly concentrated form. Extracting essential oils from plants is done through a process known as distillation.

During distillation, the oils of the plant are separated using steam or water. This separation results in a highly concentrated oil, known as an essential oil.

The resulting essential oil will have the same healing characteristics and properties of the plant but on a much more amplified level.

Because of this amplified healing effect, many people use essential oils for therapeutic benefits.

Now, let’s delve into the 8 essential oils for diabetes treatment:

1. Cinnamon

Many people use cinnamon to give an added kick to their desserts.

But, did you know that it can also help you manage your diabetes?

A 2013 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry indicated that a dab of cinnamon can help reduce blood sugar levels, It may also help control triglyceride levels, cholesterol, blood pressure, and even possibly body weight.

Besides that, cinnamon also has the ability to fight infections due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Cinnamon can be ingested, taken as a supplement, or inhaled. There are no known adverse effects, although some people are more sensitive to cinnamon and may notice irritation to their skin or nasal passages.

If you are using cinnamon as an essential oil, adding a couple drops to your meals on a regular basis will help you benefit from its effects.

2. Coriander

Coriander, commonly known as cilantro is another one of the best essential oils for diabetes.

Originating from western Asia, coriander is often used as a blend to treat digestive issues such as flatulence, diarrhea, and indigestion.

However, a recent study conducted on rats showed that coriander may also help fight diabetes by promoting low blood glucose levels through increased insulin secretion in the pancreas.

Coriander can be used in cooking to help your body naturally increase its insulin levels.

Using rats, researchers found that lavender essential oil may help balance high blood sugar levels in the body. It also found that lavender may help protect the body from oxidative stress which can cause complications in people with diabetes.

4. Black Pepper

It’s time to put down the salt and reach for the black pepper instead- black pepper essential oil that is.

Black pepper can be especially beneficial for those suffering from type 2 diabetes. This is because a study found that black pepper may help manage type 2 diabetes and one of its main symptoms- high blood pressure. Researchers discovered that because black pepper is chock full of antioxidants, it can block certain enzymes in the body that may be related to type 2 diabetes.

5. Lemon/Lemon Balm

Lemon is another popular essential oil that many people use to help relax. It is also often used to help treat the common cold.

For diabetics, lemon essential oil can help ease the stress that comes with dealing with a chronic illness.

6. Clove

Clove is also another excellent essential oil for those with type 2 diabetes, as it can help balance insulin levels and reduce glucose and cholesterol levels.

However, clove has been known to cause extreme irritation to the skin. It is best for young ones or those taking anticoagulants to avoid clove essential oil. It may even be a good idea to dilute clove with a carrier oil to make it less irritating.

7. Grapefruit and Helichrysum

Being overweight or obese is not the sole cause of diabetes. However, being fit is one of the best ways to alleviate symptoms of diabetes.

Losing weight is often the step for those looking to alleviate symptoms of diabetes. Of course, diet and exercise are the essential components of any weight loss regime. However, grapefruit and helichrysum oil may help with weight loss as well.